Roy Hibbert Discussion 2015-16: No Buyout

That plays a big role. But I also think there are other factors in why he isn't considered the greatest:

1) His personality. Never one to embrace the media. They are the ones that unfortunately drive the rhetoric for GOAT discussions. Quiet, cerebral, irritated, less engaging. The complete opposite of Michael and Magic. I actually think Kobe (post rape trial) is more Kareem than Magic or Michael, in terms of their personalities.

2) Nowadays it's all about flashiness. Kareem, for lack of better words, had a grounded, methodical, intellectual game. He used skill and smarts more than athleticism. That doesn't do it in the SportsCenter, YouTube, and Twitter age. Similar to Duncan, who probably isn't considered as high in the GOAT discussion as he should be.

Also playing with Magic who was pass-first, more flashy and had the golden boy personality didn't do him any favors. I think I have Kareem at #2 on my GOAT list. I'm not saying any of the reasons I listed are fair or even criteria, but they damn well play a role in this because it's such a media driven rhetoric.

 

I think it's stupid to compare a SG and a center. Each is the best ever in their positions. You will start building a championship team either picking Jordan or Kareem as the leading player.

 

Let's have them play one on one in their prime. Let's see who is GOAT

 

Only us old guys know what happened in Game 5 of that series. For those who don't know. Let's just say it was a lot more of a gutty performance than Jordan being "sick" in a finals game. Kareem was the MVP of that series just as Wilkes play in the 4th quarter of game 6 was the difference. A guard playing center (on the score card only) was the story the press went with. A fantastic performance by a rookie no doubt but it's gotten a little out of proportion since IMHO.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but the players used to vote on MVP back in the day, correct? And Kareem may have won a chunk of those MVP's that the players voted in?

 

Years Kareem won:

• 6× NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974,1976, 1977, 1980)

He actually won no MVP awards from the press. Players know their stuff. Hibbert should definitely call up this guy.

 

^Haha, I first read that as "Charles Barkley" and was not surprised in the least.

It's worth noting Kareem did win Finals MVP in '85.

 

Well we know that Kobe is all for feeding the post as long as the big can score.

 

If memory serves he scored over 40 in that game with a ton of board and blocks. He was the leading scorer in the entire game AFTER he came back out of the locker room. He had a huge block and a facial dunk/3pt play on the Dr. that basically sealed the win for the Lakers right at the end as well.

 

The word "savant" has had the mothballs dusted off and it will now be part of every day vocabulary. That is all.

 

Ha ha. I was sitting 50 feet away from him when he sprained his ankle. My uncle was a season ticket holder. Probably the best Laker moment in my life.

Let's not open the can of worms that was the 84 finals however.... lowest point in my Laker existence.

 

I will be really interested to see if his mental approach is different with the "chance". He's always had a fairly full toolset for a big guy, at least by today's standards. It's the mental approach that needs a fresh start.

 

Yeah, Roy certainly has the tools to become an elite center on both ends of the court, it's up to him to really have a fresh mindset going in here, blank slate, and playing with a chip on his shoulder after all of the drama that unfolded a few years ago.

Kobe can help bring that edge out of him. I know people always say players shouldn't play angry. In Roy's case, I think he just checked out instead of really playing with emotion. I want him to really get motivated and push himself to become a really good center.